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Hi, Everyone, I hadn't had any meds for almost 20 years. Then I was diagnosed(later rediagnosed), given medications, and became a member of the "fall asleep club, too". Just about any medication puts me to sleep-no warning. Even Advil It started with Sinemet-2 25//100 AM/PM and to sleep I went-at the table, the PC, in the restaurant, etc. Later Reequip was tried, but it made me quite ill so Mirapex was added. l .25 AM; l MG PM. For pain, Advil was added. I can go out in a chair without warning for as long as 3 hours. Between "bye, bye land" and off times, I took myself off the road. The 20 years of living a fairly normal life that my first neuro predicted didn't quite materialize! E of the headdress At 01:31 AM 12/18/2000 -0800, you wrote: >Hi All, >Driving and Parkinson's Disease is a delicate subject that tends to be >avoided.... I believe it is important to discuss this aspect of most of our >lives and make decisions before an *incident* makes it necessary... > >Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson's Disease >Cheryl H. Waters, MD, >Professor of Neurology, >College of Physicians and Surgeons, >Columbia University. >http://neurology.medscape.com/PCI/parkinson/public/parkinson- >about.html > >Chapter 10: Nonpharmacologic Management of Parkinson's Disease >10.3 Driving >Driving may an integral part of the Parkinson patient's life and, therefore, >may be a significant indication of his or her independence. >Considerations in assessing driving ability should include: > >Judgment > >Mental status > >Reaction speed. > >Side effects of medication must also be considered in this context. The >tendency to freeze can be fatal. Since the decision regarding driving is >always difficult, the most objective approach is to have the patient take >an approved driver instruction course or retake the state driver's license >test. > >************** > >I still drive some, as part of my work but I have cut my driving way down. >I moved from the 'burbs to minutes away from work. I no longer drive on >extended hi-way trips. I think it is prudent to have an open mind on this >topic and not be too stubborn. It is naive to suggest Parkinson's and >Driving are without potential problems. Some jurisdictions may have >*rules* as well. When my meds are at an optimum I do feel perfectly >safe. When my meds are *off* I feel less safe to the point of letting >someone else drive. > >Perhaps others may offer an opinion. > >All the best ......... murray >[log in to unmask] > >